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Fort Smith Leaders ‘Thrilled’ With Tax Vote

Fort Smith leaders were understandably pleased with Tuesday’s overwhelming voter support for a county sales tax that will add an estimated $15 million to the city’s coffers this year.

“I’m very pleased with the margin of victory tonight with roughly 80 percent supporting the projects,” Mayor Sandy Sanders said. “I think that indicates people understand where the money has gone the last 20 years, and where it is committed to go in the future — for public safety.”

Fort Smith’s share of the tax this year is a third of the city’s general fund budget.

The lion’s share of that $15 million, 76 percent, is allocated for police and fire services. Sales tax funds represent more than 40 percent of both the fire and police budgets.

“We’re thrilled with the voter confidence in us,” Fire Chief Mike Richards said. “The citizens have always supported us. Especially in the last few years, they’ve been tremendous.”

Police Maj. Dean Pitts said the revenue represents somewhere in the neighborhood of $7 million a year for his department.

“When you consider our entire budget is $17 million, that is a very significant percentage of our operating funds,” he said in an earlier interview.

In Tuesday’s special election, voters agreed to renew the 1 percent sales tax for another 10 years. All cities in Sebastian County and the county government share the tax revenue, which is divided on a per capita basis.